AC Clutch / belt tensioner

Vetran · Apr 24th, 2022, 17:37

Hi all. New to the forum. Recently bought a 2010 S40 R-design 2.0D 136 hp. Pretty impressed with the car so far. The extra power and general build quality is far better than my 2006 1.6d Mazda3. I tried searching the forums but couldn't find a thread for AC belt tensioner.

I've had the wheel and wheel arch liner off to have a look. Definitely the clutch not activating. So I was thinking of removing some shims (I tried with cable ties under the springs and it didn't work) from the back of the clutch plate so that it it reduces the gap and activates. I've tried to show what I find online vs my wheel arch the red is where the tensioner is abouts.

The problem is that the belt tensioner is behind some part of the engine subframe? All videos I watch online show this belt tensioner being easily accessible.

I can't get in from the top without supporting the engine and removing the engine mount on the top in front of the driver.

Has anyone done this before? is it possible that if the AC is faulty that the clutch won't engage?

PNM · Apr 24th, 2022, 20:53

If the pressure in the system is low, the ac won't activate, so my first step would be to check the refrigerant pressure.

Also check the relevant fuses and check that power is getting to the AC compressor.

Have you measured the clutch gap to confirm that is the problem?

domhart10 · Apr 25th, 2022, 15:15

Have you measured the clutch gap, how much of a gap do you have?

Rids666 · Apr 28th, 2022, 22:12

My alternator failed a few weeks ago so had to remove the aux belt to replace it. Without a doubt the worst part of the job was accessing the tensioner! The gap between the inner panel and the 17mm bolt head which your supposed to use to release the tension is very tight and my spanner constantly came off leading to bleeding knuckles and a rounded bolt. Only way I could do it in the end was to remove the tensioner completely while the belt was still under tension. I then used an old Allen key which I shortened to pre load the tensioner. Refitted and then hit the Allen key out to tension the belt.

Vetran · May 7th, 2022, 14:12

Thanks for all the tips, from what Rids666 says, it'll definitely be worth checking the pressure before going through all that drama.

I thought the clutch would engage even with low gas. You've saved my knuckles for now.

Mcgoo1 · May 21st, 2022, 16:43

Im having the same problem and i am too looking at the ac clutch as the problem but 1 other thing im going to look at that is also common from what i have read is the low pressure sensor when i get 2 mins im going to short the sensor out at the plug and see if the ac pump engages if it does it could lead to a faulty sensor or low freon in the system

Apr 25th, 2022, 15:15	#3
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Today 10:55 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	Have you measured the clutch gap, how much of a gap do you have? __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

Apr 28th, 2022, 22:12	#4
Rids666 Junior Member Last Online: Dec 28th, 2023 11:24 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Rugby	My alternator failed a few weeks ago so had to remove the aux belt to replace it. Without a doubt the worst part of the job was accessing the tensioner! The gap between the inner panel and the 17mm bolt head which your supposed to use to release the tension is very tight and my spanner constantly came off leading to bleeding knuckles and a rounded bolt. Only way I could do it in the end was to remove the tensioner completely while the belt was still under tension. I then used an old Allen key which I shortened to pre load the tensioner. Refitted and then hit the Allen key out to tension the belt. __________________ Volvo V50 2.0 D sport 07 silver manual 95k Previously: Volvo V70 D5 mk3 07 silver manual 156k RIP

May 7th, 2022, 14:12	#5
Vetran New Member Last Online: Mar 31st, 2023 13:48 Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Durham	Thanks for all the tips, from what Rids666 says, it'll definitely be worth checking the pressure before going through all that drama. I thought the clutch would engage even with low gas. You've saved my knuckles for now. __________________ 2010 S40 R-design 136hp 2.0D

Apr 24th, 2022, 20:53	#2
PNM Member Last Online: Today 10:39 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midlands	If the pressure in the system is low, the ac won't activate, so my first step would be to check the refrigerant pressure. Also check the relevant fuses and check that power is getting to the AC compressor. Have you measured the clutch gap to confirm that is the problem?

May 21st, 2022, 16:43	#6
Mcgoo1 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 7th, 2023 14:32 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: newcastle	Im having the same problem and i am too looking at the ac clutch as the problem but 1 other thing im going to look at that is also common from what i have read is the low pressure sensor when i get 2 mins im going to short the sensor out at the plug and see if the ac pump engages if it does it could lead to a faulty sensor or low freon in the system

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